Page:On the cultivation of the plants belonging to the natural order of Proteeae.djvu/31

 Rh not frosty, more or less according to the external temperature of the atmosphere. In May, June, and July, after the plants appear, it will be necessary to shade them from the hottest rays of the sun during the middle of the day; in very brilliant days, from 10 o'clock a. m. to 4 o'clock, p. m.; but as the sun declines in height, and the plants gain strength, expose them fully, both to air and sun, at all times.

I believe the best time to transplant the seedlings, is as soon as their cotyledons are fully grown, and the future stem beginning to elongate; for they have then few or no fibres attached to the tap-root, nor have I ever found them checked by this early removal: it should unquestionably never be delayed later, than when they are from an inch to two inches high, potting them singly into small 60s, and taking great care, not to break any lateral fibres they have then made: this operation should also be performed in a close shed where the wind does not blow, watering small parcels together through a fine rose as you proceed, and when all are finished, place them in such a frame as is used for Cucumbers and Melons. Keep them rather close, as well as shaded with a thin mat when the sun shines, for a week or ten days, until they have struck fresh root, after which they must be gradually exposed to the open air.

About the end of September or beginning of October, according to the mildness of the autumn, the plants should be cleaned and moved into their winter quarters, which, both for those transplanted, or any sown later remaining in seed pots, should be the most light and airy part of the greenhouse. Look them over every morning between 9 and 10 o'clock, watering such as stand in need; at this season it should be done, by pouring the water gently upon the earth near the edge of the pot, so as not to wet their stems and leaves more than can be avoided. Whenever dead leaves or branches appear, let them be removed, keeping the surface of the